BB Desk
There was a phase in Gaurav Khanna’s career when he felt the television industry had almost stopped believing in him. Today, he is known for his much-loved portrayal of Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa, produced by Deepa Shahi and Rajan Shahi under Shahi Productions Pvt Ltd., as well as for winning Bigg Boss 19 and taking on the challenges of Khatron Ke Khiladi 15. But his journey to this point was far from smooth.
During the privacy task on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, Gaurav opened up about a particularly challenging period in his professional life. The actor revealed that following a string of shows that failed to make an impact, people in the industry had started referring to him as “jinxed.” With every unsuccessful project, Gaurav felt that the perception around him grew stronger, making it increasingly difficult for him to find meaningful opportunities.
Interestingly, producer Rajan Shahi had previously spoken about this very phase in Gaurav’s career. When he was considering the actor for Anupamaa, Rajan was well aware of the industry’s reservations. He revealed that several people had advised him against casting Gaurav, believing that his association with the show could potentially work against its success.
However, Rajan decided not to let those opinions influence his decision. Instead, he chose to trust his own instincts and was impressed by Gaurav’s sincerity, commitment, and determination.
Rajan had discussed the character with Gaurav over the phone and, following their conversation, asked him to report to the sets and start shooting. What followed was a remarkable show of faith. By the time Rajan returned to India, Gaurav had already been shooting for Anupamaa for more than two weeks. The producer also revealed that he met the actor in person only after Gaurav had already begun filming.
For Gaurav, that opportunity arrived at a crucial point in his career. He has often acknowledged Rajan Shahi’s belief in him and expressed gratitude for giving him a chance when very few people were willing to do so.
That leap of faith eventually became a turning point for both the actor and the show. Gaurav’s portrayal of Anuj Kapadia resonated strongly with audiences, turning the character into one of the most popular and loved personalities on Indian television. The role not only earned him widespread appreciation but also helped him rebuild his standing in the industry.
What once seemed like a career weighed down by rejection soon transformed into a story of resilience and reinvention. Gaurav went on to win Bigg Boss 19, further cementing his popularity with audiences and has now taken on a completely different challenge as a contestant on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15.
From being labelled “jinxed” to becoming a celebrated television personality, Gaurav Khanna’s journey serves as a reminder of how one opportunity and one person willing to believe in you can change the course of a fading career.
